Senior Quantity Surveyor

Job Description

Overview

Shape the places that matter. Lead projects that define the future.

At AtkinsRéalis, we are redefining how projects are delivered across the built environment by bringing together technical excellence, digital innovation and a collaborative mindset. Our London & South East Cost Management team within Buildings & Places delivers some of the UK's most high-profile and impactful developments.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor / Senior Cost Manager to join our London team. You will independently manage commissions, build trusted client relationships and guide project teams to deliver high-quality cost and commercial outcomes. You will also help strengthen our technical capability, develop colleagues and support sustainable business growth.

We work hybrid and flexibly across our offices in London (Nova North), Tunbridge Wells, Epsom, and Oxford, prioritising where our clients and teams need us to be.

The Opportunity

The role is suited to a chartered cost manager who can independently manage commissions from feasibility through completion, act as the primary day-to-day client adviser and manage the technical and commercial performance of project teams. You will work with Associate Directors and Directors on key accounts while taking increasing responsibility for client development, business development and team development.

Your role

• Manage and deliver cost management commissions from inception to completion, setting the delivery strategy and taking responsibility for scope, quality, programme, client satisfaction and commercial performance; act as the primary day-to-day client interface, providing clear, evidence-based advice and building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Prepare, review and assure feasibility studies, estimates, cost plans, cash flows, benchmarking, option appraisals and commercial reports aligned with client objectives; facilitate value management and option appraisal activities, protecting project outcomes while identifying efficiencies and whole-life value.
• Develop procurement and contracting strategies, prepare tender and contract documentation, manage tender processes and provide clear recommendations; administer or support contracts under JCT, NEC and other relevant forms, ensuring notices, assessments, instructions and records are timely and robust.
• Oversee post-contract cost management, including valuations, forecasting, change control, risk management, cost reporting and final account negotiations; identify cost, programme, procurement and delivery risks early, quantify their potential impact and support appropriate mitigation with the project team.
• Establish proportionate project governance, reporting and controls, maintaining clear audit trails and supporting timely, informed decisions; collaborate with and support multidisciplinary teams, ensuring design development, programme, risk and commercial information remain aligned.
• Plan and manage project resources, delegate effectively, review outputs and maintain consistently high technical and service standards; coach, mentor and technically review the work of quantity surveyors, graduates, apprentices and other team members.
• Manage commission finances, including fee budgets, forecasts, change control, invoicing, cash collection and performance against agreed margin; support client account plans, bids, proposals, interviews and presentations, contributing relevant insight, evidence and delivery methodology; identify opportunities to broaden client support and services through strong delivery and a clear understanding of client priorities.
• Champion inclusive behaviours, health and safety, sustainability, digital delivery, data quality and continuous improvement; represent AtkinsRéalis and the profession with integrity, credibility and sound professional expertise and decision-making.

About you

• Strong experience delivering quantity surveying / cost management services within the UK property or built environment sector, preferably within a consultancy; a proven track record of independently managing commissions and maintaining effective client relationships from feasibility through post-contract delivery and close-out.
• Detailed knowledge of pre-contract and post-contract cost management, including estimating, cost planning, procurement, tendering, contract administration, change control and final accounts; strong working knowledge of UK construction contracts, particularly JCT and NEC forms, and the ability to apply contractual and commercial principles in practice.
• The confidence to facilitate meetings, present recommendations, provide constructive feedback and engage effectively with clients, consultants, contractors and senior decision-makers.
• Strong analytical, commercial and solution-focused capability, with the ability to interpret complex cost and project information and communicate it clearly.
• Experience in planning and coordinating the work of others, reviewing technical outputs and supporting professional development; a collaborative and proactive approach, with the adaptability to manage competing priorities and changing deadlines without compromising quality.
• Good commission management discipline, including fee management, resource planning, forecasting, scope control, invoicing and cash awareness.
• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or a related discipline, with MRICS or an equivalent recognised professional qualification; proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and relevant industry tools such as CostX or comparable measurement and cost management platforms.
• An active interest in digital cost management, market intelligence, sustainability, data and emerging technology.

Expectations at Senior Level

• Commission management and delivery: independently mobilise, plan and manage commissions, with clear responsibility for outputs, deadlines, project controls and client outcomes.
• Technical expertise: produce and review complex technical deliverables, identify weaknesses in information and apply proportionate professional expertise and insight before advice is issued.
• Client confidence: become the recognised day-to-day commercial adviser, anticipate client needs and communicate issues with clarity, confidence and proposed solutions.
• Commercial responsibility: understand the commission appointment and fee, manage scope and resources, manage change promptly and protect both client value and business performance.
• People development: set clear expectations, delegate meaningful responsibility, provide constructive review and create development opportunities for others.
• Business and client development contribution: turn excellent delivery into repeat work, contribute strongly to bids and bring relevant client and market intelligence into the wider team.
• Professional standards: model ethical behaviour, maintain accurate records, follow governance and quality requirements and communicate material risks appropriately.
• Progression: demonstrate increasing readiness to manage larger commissions, key client relationships and wider team responsibilities at Associate Director level.

What Success Looks Like

• Commissions are delivered to the agreed scope, programme, quality and commercial objectives, with strong client feedback; cost forecasts and reports are accurate, timely and trusted, with risks and change identified early and managed actively.
• Clients see you as a trusted adviser and provide repeat commissions, referrals or opportunities to broaden our services.
• Project teams have clear guidance, responsibilities and review arrangements, and junior colleagues show visible development.
• Commission fees, resources, scope and cash are managed proactively, with issues escalated before they affect performance.
• You contribute consistently to bids, account development, knowledge sharing and improvement of technical standards; demonstrate the expertise, collaboration skills and market awareness needed to progress toward Managing Quantity Surveyor.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive - at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Rewards and benefits - Careers at AtkinsRéalis

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis , a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

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Worker Type

Employee

Job Type

Regular

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.